Container for motion-picture reels



Aug. 11, 1925,

W. F. SCHAEFER CONTAINER FOR MOTION PICTURE HEELS Filed Feb, 5, 1,922

2 Sheets-Sheet l LTITLE I I, A l r INVENTOR,

JAM; ATTORNEY Aug. 11, 1925. 1,549,423

W. F. SCHAEFER CONTAINER FOR MOTION PICTURE REELS Filed Feb. 5, 1922 2 SheetS -Sheet z [NV NTOR,

BY X 4) ATTORNEY till Patented Aug. 11, 1925.

r oFFicE.

WALTER IE. SGI-IAEFER, OF BROOKLYN, NEW YORK.

CONTAINER, FOB, MOTION-PICTURE HEELS.

Application filed February 3, 1922, Serial No. 533,782.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WALTER F. SoiiAnFnn, a citizen of the German Republic, residing at (51 West End Avenue, Manhattan Beach, in the borough of Brooklyn, county of Kings, city and State of New York, have invented new and useful improvements in Containers for Motion-Picture Reels, of which'the following is a specification.

This invention relates to so-called motion picture film cans and has for its objects the construction of a simple, cheap and durable can which is substantially flame-proof and dust-proof and which can be readily opened and closed in order to admit of the insertion therein or the removal therefrom of a reel of motion picture film.

The ordinary film at present used in the motion picture industry is so inflammable that the regulations prescribed for the protection of the same when transported in interstate commerce are very rigid. T he motion picture film can required by such regulations, consists of a relatively flat cylindrical receptacle, of the general shape hereinafter illustrated, that is adapted to be closed by a metal cover provided with an annular flange which fits within the peripheral wall of said receptacle. When such can is new and empty such cover fits sufficiently tight and can be removed from and applied to the can proper with a fair degree of satisfaction. However, if a film reel is inserted into such can and the cover applied there is a tendency, as a result of the constant knocking of the reel against the same during the transportation thereof, for the cover to gradually work loose with a result that the can fails to serve the purpose of properly protecting the film particularly against fire hazard and dust. Furthermore, when the upper edge of the can or of the cover flange becomes bent or distorted it is difficult if not impossible to properly close the can, with the consequence that often such cans are, when shipped in interstate commerce, loaded with reels of film having the cover improperly applied thereto.

My investigations have led to the discovery of a very effective type of container which is radically different from that which is at present commonly used, the same being fully set forth in detail in the following description and drawings forming a part thereof in which Figure 1 is an elevation of my improved film can, viewed from the front,

Fig. 2 is a transverse horizontal section thereof;

Fig. 3 is a verticaldiagrammatic section along the line 8-3 of Fig. 2;

Fig. l is a fragmentary vertical section, partially broken away along the line H of Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is a detail fragmentary section along the line 55 of Fig. 2;

Fig.- 6 is a detail fragmentary section along the line 66 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary elevation showing the locking means of my improved can and Fig. 8 is a vertical fragmentary detailed section along the line 88 of Fig. 7.

Referring to the drawings and the construction shown therein, the reference numeral l designates the bottom and 2 the top of my film can which are respectively crimped to opposite edges of the side wall 3 of said can. Preferably, in order to form a solid or unyielding head, a wire core or mandrel l is provided and the respective cont-acting edges of the side wall and the top or bottom of the can are crimped thereover as shown in Fig. 6.

A sliding panel or door 5 is also partially crimped around said core in such a manner that its respective ends will, when the panel is open, project between the curled edges and the associated curled edges 3 of the rigid side wall, also as shown in Fig. 6. It is essential that in the crimping operation the sliding panel should not be so tightly held as to prevent the same sliding freely to and fro to either completely close the opening, represented by the reference letter A, or to assum the open position.

To retain the sliding panel in a closed position I provide a catch member, preferably consisting merely of a piece of bent springsteel, wire 6, the ends 7, 7 of which are adapted to project into recesses 8, 8 formed in the upper and lower beads of such can. The aforesaid catch can be conveniently formed by merely stamping out the panel with two parallel cuts 00 and 12 then expanding or forcing up the area of metal between these two cuts so that it will assume a slightly elevated position such as shown in Fig. 8, after which a straight wire of the desired length is forced beneath such elevated area or bridge and bent into the position shown in Fig. 7. Said catch also serves as a convenient handle for sliding the panel to and fro.

Suitable ribs are formed on the top and bottom of the can to comply with the regulations restricting these cans in order that the requisite air spaces may be provided therebetween.

An inset panel 9 is provided which is adapted to receive a suitable metal or paper title card 10 to indicate the name, number or other indicia for identifying the contained reel.

Among the various advantages of my improved construction may be mentioned the fact that the cover is permanently secured thereto and cannot be lost, the cover is easily unlocked and movable into an open position or, vice versa, may be easily closed and securely locked, and consequently the can is rendered more dust-proof and flameproo'l because the mandrel or core 4: insures against the distortion of the bead and thereby prevents the distortion of the adjacent edges oi' either the sliding cover or of the top, bottom or side wall 01" the can.

Having thus described my invention, what- I claim and desire to secure by U. S. Letters Patent is:

In a cylindrical container for him reels, the combination comprising two substantially circular end members, two curvilinear side members, one of said side members being rigidly secured to said end members and the other side member being relatively slidable with respect to said end members and said rigid side member and means for locking said sliduble member against movement including'an elastic skeleton member having compressible arms each arm being provided with oliset terminals said skeleton member being carried by one of the relatively slidable members and opposing recesses formed in the other relatively slid-able member adapted to receive the terminals of said elastic member.

Signed at New York city, in the county of New York and State of New York this 31st day of January, 1922.

WVALTER F. SCHAEFER. 

